Police search ongoing after man attacks woman in Cirencester

Update:

Officers investigating an incident in Cirencester this afternoon have provided an update.

Police are still making enquiries to locate a man after he attacked a woman in City Bank Park around 2pm today (Thursday).

He has been described as being white and was wearing black clothing which included a hooded top with the hood up, a snood, tracksuit bottoms and dark trainers.

The offender was not wearing a black puffer jacket as previously reported.

The man had approached the woman, aged in her 30s, from behind and then threatened her with a knife. He sexually assaulted her by grabbing her breasts and then pushed her over.

The offender fled the scene in the direction of Watermoor Road and police are keen to hear from anyone who lives in the surrounding area who may have CCTV or dashcam footage which could assist.

The victim was assessed at the scene by paramedics and did not require hospital treatment. She is very shaken by what happened.

It is believed those involved are not known to each other.

Detective Sergeant Sophie Dawkins said: "This was a terrifying attack and we're working hard to locate the man who was responsible.

"During the early stages of the investigation we'd been told a man had also followed a woman near to Tesco Express on Chesterton Lane this afternoon.

"Following further enquiries, we're no longer treating this as being connected to the incident, and no crime is believed to have occurred on that occasion.

"House to house enquiries are taking place in the area and there will continue to be a visible police presence."

Anyone with dashcam, CCTV footage or information is asked to provide this to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 194 of 1 February: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Did you know you can report information anonymously through the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers? Reporting is completely anonymous and you may be eligible for a reward of up to £1000. You can call 0800 555 111 or report information online. More information can be found here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

 

Original appeal: Police are searching for a man after a report he attacked a woman in Cirencester this afternoon (Thursday 1 February).

The incident happened in City Bank Park around 2pm and it is believed he was in possession of a knife.

Officers are searching for him with assistance from the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

A woman has been injured and is being assessed by paramedics. At this time her injuries are not believed to be serious.

The offender is described as being of a slim build and around 5ft11ins - 6ft tall. 

He is wearing a black puffer jacket, with a covering across his face and black gloves.

It is believed those involved are not known to each other.

Police have also received a report a man followed a woman at around 1pm today near to Tesco Express on Chesterton Lane.

The description given of the suspect in this incident is similar.

There will be extra patrols taking place in the area while searches for the offender continue.

Anyone who has seen someone matching this description is asked to call police on 999 and quote incident 194 of 1 February.

You can also provide non-urgent information online by completing the following form and quoting incident 194 of 1 February: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Did you know you can report information anonymously through the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers? Reporting is completely anonymous and you may be eligible for a reward of up to £1000. You can call 0800 555 111 or report information online. More information can be found here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously